21 days in California Itinerary

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

San Francisco is known for nature, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Golden Gate Bridge, take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, take in nature's colorful creations at Japanese Tea Garden, and step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island.

To find maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our San Francisco trip planner.

Nashville to San Francisco is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Nashville to San Francisco. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Nashville in May; daily highs in San Francisco reach 69°F and lows reach 53°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Napa.

Located just 80 km (50 mi) north of San Francisco, Napa sits at the southern end of the scenic Napa Valley, one of the world's major wine regions.

On the 21st (Fri), learn about winemaking at V. Sattui Winery, then do a tasting at Modus Operandi Cellars, and then indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area.

For where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Napa trip maker app.

Drive from San Francisco to Napa in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of subway and bus. Traveling from San Francisco in May, Napa is slightly colder at night with lows of 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can drive to Healdsburg.

The quaint city of Healdsburg is one of northern California's wine capitals, serving as the meeting point for three of Sonoma's most important wine-producing regions.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Sonoma Coast State Beach, then do a tasting at Gracianna Winery, and then indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: do a tasting at Jordan Vineyard & Winery, then do a tasting at Sapphire Hill Winery, and then identify plant and animal life at Safari West.

For other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Healdsburg travel route planning website.

You can drive from Napa to Healdsburg in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 76°F in May, and nighttime lows around 48°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes is a town in Mono County, California, the county's only incorporated community. Get out of town with these interesting Mammoth Lakes side-trips: Yosemite National Park (Taft Point, Glacier Point, &more).

For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Mammoth Lakes journey tool.

Drive from Healdsburg to Mammoth Lakes in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus, train, and car. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Healdsburg in May, with highs in Mammoth Lakes at 65°F and lows at 34°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to travel to Los Angeles.

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Los Angeles: Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). There's still lots to do: find something for the whole family at Universal Studios Hollywood, get to know the fascinating history of Santa Monica Pier, partake in some friendly competition at Fantastic Race, and examine the collection at The Getty Center.

For traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Los Angeles trip itinerary planner.

You can fly from Mammoth Lakes to Los Angeles in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and train. While traveling from Mammoth Lakes, expect a bit warmer days and warmer nights in Los Angeles, ranging from highs of 75°F to lows of 59°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) so you can go by car to San Diego.

Divided into neighborhoods with distinct characters and cultural heritages, San Diego sits just north of the Mexican border and offers visitors a blend of tourist attractions, including a lively nightlife, diverse cuisine, and a thriving musical scene.

Go for a jaunt from San Diego to Encinitas to see Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens about 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: admire nature's wide array of creatures at San Diego Zoo, see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum, observe the fascinating underwater world at SeaWorld San Diego, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

For more things to do, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read San Diego trip planning tool.

Drive from Los Angeles to San Diego in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Los Angeles in June: highs in San Diego hover around 73°F, while lows dip to 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.